Action-regulator for pianos



(No Model.)

H. P. BROWN. ACTION REGULATOR FUR PIANOS No. 515,279. Patented Feb.20,1894.

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Unwrap STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

HERBERT l BROlVN, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

ACTION-REGULATOR FOR PIANOS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 515,27 9, datedFebruary 20, 1894.

Application filed March 20, 1893.

To Mr? whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, HERBERT 1 BROWN, of the city of Minneapolis, countyof Hennepin, State of Minnesota, have invented certain new andusefullmprovements in Action-Regulators for Pianos, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to means I or adj usting the action parts ofpianos, and the object which I have in View is to provide an adjustabledevice for connection between certain parts, whereby their relativepositions and action may be regulated; and further to so construct saiddevice that it may be very easily moved or adjusted regardless of thecondition of the wooden parts.

To this end my invention consists in the combination with the woodenparts of an eX- pansible part threaded to engage the end of one or bothof said part or parts; and my invention further consists in variousdetails of construction andin combinations all as hereinafter describedand particularly pointed out in the claims, and will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis a view showing a piano action provided with an abstract having one ofmy devices for its ready adjustment. Fig. 2 is a detailed view showingthe adjustable foot for the abstract. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectionthereof. Figs. & and 5 show modified forms of my device applied to theinner end of the keybar. Fig. 6 shows an adjustable device similar tothat of Figs. 2 and 3 but having exterior threads. Fig. 7 isa modifiedform of the device shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 8 shows one of my adjustabledevices used as a coupling for a divided abstract or pedal rod. Fig. 9shows a modified form of my device for the same purpose. Fig. 10 showsthe coupling screw of Fig. 9 detached, Figs. 11 and 12 showing stillsimplerenibodiments of my invention.

As shown in the drawings, 2 represents a key-bar and 3 the abstractthrough which the movement of the key-bar is transmitted to the hammersand other parts of the action.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 7, one form of my regulating or adjustingdevice consists in a tubular screw having several holes Serial No.466,848. (No model.)

4; through which a wrench pin may be inserted to turn the screw. Thelong upper part of the sleeve is screwed upon the lower end of theabstract 3 and has a long and secure bearing thereon to eltectuallyprevent its becoming loose. In the lower and shorter threaded end of thetubular screw I insert a short plug 5, threaded to enter the end of thetubeand providedwithafelt tip orpad 6 adapted to rest upon the smoothtop of the key-bar 2. Much difficulty has been experienced heretoforewith screws when used upon the wooden parts of pianos, by reason of thefact that the swelling of the wood in damp weather so looks or binds thescrew as to make it Very difficult of adjustment. The avoidance of thisdifficulty is the chief end of my invention and for this purpose Iprovide longitudinal slots 7 in my various couplings or jack-screws and,as shown in Figs. 2 and 7, I bend the parts of the tube inwardly thusforming springs, which readily admit of either shrinkage or expansion ofthe abstract or other wooden part and at all times maintain a tight holdthereon, while at the same time being so free and loose they may beeasily turned upon the same.

IVith the devices shown in the above figures the adj ustmentmay beobtained by turning the tubular screw upon the end of the abstract tomove the same up or down; or ad justment may be had by turning thetip-plug 5; the first method however, is preferred. The same result maybe obtained by the use of the jack-screw shown in Fig. 6, or by thatshown in Fig. 12. The device in Fig. 6 is preferably made smaller thanthat in Fig. 7 and its lower or outer end is provided with an interiorthread and slots like that of Fig. The upper end, however, thoughslotted in the same way, has an exterior thread in place of the insidethread of the first device, and the spring ends of this screw arepressed inwardly and screwed into the hole in the end of the abstract;the spring ends afterward performing the same function as those of theother screw. A still simpler form of the screw is shown in Fig. 12,where the independent plug or short-tip is replaced by a solid metalscrew head formed on the spring shank, the head resting upon a soft faceprovided on the key-bar 2. In Fig. 11 this construction is altered byplacing the spring or expansion screw in the key-bar instead of in theend of the abstract.

In Fig. 4, the tubular screw of Fig. 2 is shown in connection with awooden post 10 inserted in the end of the key-bar and over which thelong end of the screw is turned while the foot of the abstract restsupon the padded upper end of the device. Fig. 5 shows the reversal ofthe arrangement shown .in Fig. 6, the spring shank being screwed into anopening provided in the top of the key-bar.

The devices so far explained all refer to the ends of the abstract or tothe end of the key-bar. In place thereof I may prefer to employ aconstruction which will permit of the pivoting of the ends of theabstract to the key-bar and to the upper part of the actionrespectively. For this purpose I provide the spring or expansiblecoupling shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. In Fig. 8 a modification of thetubular screw of Fig. 2, is employed, the ends being of equal length andoppositely thread-ed after the manner of a turn-buckle, both ends beingslotted and having their parts either left normal or bent inwardly toengage the approaching ends or sections 12 and l3 of the abstract or ofthe pedal red, as the case may be. In order that the center of thetubular screw may also yield slightly to a strong expansion, Ipreferably extend extra slots 14 through the pin holes therein. Theopposite construction is shown in Figs. 9 and 10 where the slotted endsare threaded on the outside and have their parts bent slightly outward.

It is obvious that my metal-spring woodscrews and couplings may beemployed in other devices besides pianos, organs and like musicalinstruments; and further that for certain uses the screws may be made ofwood or like material.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. The combination, in a piano action, of aregulable' part or rod, with the tubular metal screw having an interiorthread and wherein the end of said rod is screwed, the threaded portionof the screw being divided by longitudinal slots into several springparts closely embracing said rod and adapted to expand and contracttherewith, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a piano action, of 5 the abstract, with thetubular metal screw having an interior thread, and wherein the end ofthe abstract is screwed, the threaded portion of the screw being dividedby longitudinal slots into several spring parts closely embracing theabstract and adapted to expand and contract therewith, substantially asdescribed.

3. The combination, in a piano action, of the abstract, with the tubularmetal adj usting screw, having an interior thread and wherein the end ofthe abstract is secured the screw being provided with a head to engagean actuating part, and the threaded part being divided into a number ofspring. parts and having near the headseveral holes to permit fullexpansion or con-traction with the wooden part, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto-"set my hand this 13thday of March,1893.

HERBERT P. BROWN.

In presence of G. G. HAWLEY, F. S. LYON.

